SMU vs SPY
Tradr 2X Long SMR Daily ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, SMU or SPY?
Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SMU | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.30% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $48M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 4 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -46.27% | +11.52%Best |
| 1Y Return | -92.68% | +17.48%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.62% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.73% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 170.4% | 12.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -98.2% | -8.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $490 | $12,360Best |
| Fund Family | Tradr ETFs | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Equity | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 10, 2025 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 11, 2025 to Sep 10, 2026 (1.2 years).
SMU vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 1.2 years both funds cover.
SMU vs SPY Performance
Tradr 2X Long SMR Daily ETF (SMU) is an ETF from Tradr ETFs and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year SMU returned -92.68% while SPY returned +17.48%. Year to date, SMU is down 46.27% versus a gain of 11.52% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 170.4% compared with 12.5% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -98.2% for SMU and -8.9% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.05. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMU charges 1.30% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $130 vs $9 annually, a gap of $121 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMU currently yields 0.00% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in SMU and 504 in SPY, totalling 117.7% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in SMU and 504 in SPY, against full books of 4 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SMU and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SMU or SPY?
SMU has an expense ratio of 1.30% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $121 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMU or SPY?
Over the past year SMU returned -92.68% vs +17.48% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), SMU annualized -91.90% vs +19.31% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMU or SPY?
SMU has been the more volatile fund at 170.4% annualized versus 12.5% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SMU -98.2% vs SPY -8.9%.
Should I hold both SMU and SPY?
SMU and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of -0.05, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMU or SPY?
SMU yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than SMU?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.